Under the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has moved forward with plans for a bullet train service between Lahore and Rawalpindi by forming a special working group.
The decision was made during a session led by Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The working group has been tasked with preparing a detailed feasibility report and suggesting a timeline for the project.
Early estimates, as reported by Dawn News, indicate that the bullet train could cost more than $10 billion, sparking concerns about how the government intends to finance such a large-scale project. Experts estimate that constructing high-speed rail tracks alone could require between $40 million to $50 million per kilometre.
Read More: New Pakistani Chicken Breed Lays 150% More Eggs Than Local Hens
The group comprises Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, Chief Minister’s Adviser Shahid Tarar, the chairman of Pakistan Railways, and the railway’s CEO.
They have been directed to submit their proposals to Maryam Nawaz within a week.
Beyond the Lahore-Rawalpindi link, the team will also study the possibility of additional routes for future expansion of the bullet train network across Punjab.
While Bilal Akbar Khan joined the meeting via video link, Transport Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch and Planning and Development Secretary Asif Tufail attended in person.
During the briefing, railway officials presented a comprehensive overview of the current railway system and the condition of tracks. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also highlighted that the project will involve modernising both Lahore and Rawalpindi railway stations to support high-speed operations.
